The Human Among Wolves (Aurora) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Aurora

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“Oh my God, did I just hear that right?” Mira gasped, abandoning her own makeup bag to grab my hands. “You’re coming with us?”

“She’s coming,” Selene confirmed with a smug grin, digging through my closet like a woman on a mission. “No take–backs.”

Lira squealed, practically bouncing on her bed. “Finally! I thought we were going to have to drag you out by your hair.”

I laughed softly–the sound rusty, like it hadn’t been used in a while and sank back down onto my bed as my roommates turned

the dorm into a war zone of clothes, shoes, and makeup palettes.

“Okay,” Selene said a minute later, spinning around and holding something up. “No. Your closet is tragic. Good thing we planned for

this.”

She crossed the room to her own wardrobe and pulled out a black garment bag I hadn’t noticed before. With a flourish, she

unzipped it.

Inside was a costume that made my mouth go dry.

It was a black velvet bodysuit with a deep neckline, sheer sleeves covered in tiny silver moons and stars, and a short, layered tulle

skirt that barely reached mid–thigh. Hanging with it were thigh–high socks and a thin silver choker.

“What… what is that?” I asked slowly.

“Your costume,” Selene said simply, like it was obvious.

I blinked. “Where did you even get this?”

“Amazon,” Mira said, grinning like the devil. “We figured one day you’d finally stop sulking long enough to come out with us, so we

planned ahead.”

“You planned ahead for me to stop sulking?”

“Obviously,” Lira said, coming over to touch the fabric reverently. “You’re going as a celestial witch. It’s perfect. Pretty, mysterious,

a little dark… basically your entire vibe.”

I stared at it for a long moment, my first instinct being to protest. The neckline alone made my cheeks heat, and the skirt was

definitely shorter than anything I usually wore.

“Guys…” I started, but Selene was already shoving the hanger into my hands.

“Nope. No arguing. Tonight, you’re not Aurora the Sad Human. You’re Aurora the Badass Witch.”

“She’s right,” Riven chimed in, tossing a makeup brush onto my bed “You don’t just show up at a party after forty days of hiding

and look casual.”

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Chapter 85

Her words made my stomach twist, but also… light a fire in my chest

Maybe they were right.

Maybe if I looked good enough, strong enough, he’d regret every cru word.

“Fine,” I muttered, standing up and clutching the costume. “But if ook ridiculous, I’m blaming all of you.”

“You’re going to look hot,” Lira said confidently. “Now go change before I lose my mind.”

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I slipped out of the dorm room, heading to the bathroom with the costume. My heart was thudding as I shut the door behind me.

Changing felt weirdly symbolic–like shedding the last forty days along with my jeans and oversized sweater. When I finally pulled

the bodysuit into place, it hugged my curves in a way that made me stare at myself in the mirror for a long moment.

The neckline dipped low, showing just enough cleavage to make me lush, and the skirt swished around my thighs when I turned.

The socks made my legs look longer, and when I fastened the choker around my throat, I almost didn’t recognize the girl staring

back at me.

She looked… confident. Dangerous, even.

I wasn’t sure if that was true, but maybe I could fake it for one night

When I stepped back into the room, my roommates collectively froze and then erupted into cheers.

“Oh my God, you look incredible!” Mira crowed, grabbing me by the shoulders and spinning me around so everyone could see.

“See?” Selene said smugly. “Perfect. Zayn’s going to choke on his drink when he sees you.”

“Good,” I said, my lips twitching into the first real smile I’d had in days.

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